The Spectator, Volume 2. eBook

We may further observe, that such a Man will be more
grieved for the Loss of Fame, than he could have been
pleased with the Enjoyment of it. For tho the
Presence of this imaginary Good cannot make us happy,
the Absence of it may make us miserable: Because
in the Enjoyment of an Object we only find that Share
of Pleasure which it is capable of giving us, but
in the Loss of it we do not proportion our Grief to
the real Value it bears, but to the Value our Fancies
and Imaginations set upon it.

So inconsiderable is the Satisfaction that Fame brings
along with it, and so great the Disquietudes, to which
it makes us liable. The Desire of it stirs up
very uneasy Motions in the Mind, and is rather inflamed
than satisfied by the Presence of the Thing desired.
The Enjoyment of it brings but very little Pleasure,
tho the Loss or Want of it be very sensible and afflicting;
and even this little Happiness is so very precarious,
that it wholly depends on the Will of others.
We are not only tortured by the Reproaches which are
offered us, but are disappointed by the Silence of
Men when it is unexpected; and humbled even by their
Praises. [4]

That I might not lose myself upon a Subject of so
great Extent as that of Fame, I have treated it in
a particular Order and Method. I have first of
all considered the Reasons why Providence may have
implanted in our Mind such a Principle of Action.
I have in the next Place shewn from many Considerations,
first, that Fame is a thing difficult to be obtained,
and easily lost; Secondly, that it brings the ambitious
Man very little Happiness, but subjects him to much
Uneasiness and Dissatisfaction. I shall in the
last Place shew, that it hinders us from obtaining
an End which we have Abilities to acquire, and which
is accompanied with Fulness of Satisfaction.
I need not tell my Reader, that I mean by this End
that Happiness which is reserved for us in another
World, which every one has Abilities to procure, and
which will bring along with it Fulness of Joy and
Pleasures for evermore.

How the Pursuit after Fame may hinder us in the Attainment
of this great End, I shall leave the Reader to collect
from the three following Considerations.

First, Because the strong Desire of Fame breeds
several vicious Habits in the Mind.

Secondly, Because many of those Actions, which
are apt to procure Fame, are not in their Nature conducive
to this our ultimate Happiness.